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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.